How to Avoid Shiny Object Syndrome and Stay in the Fast Lane

A lot of people think they’re living life in the fast lane, when really they’re just jumping from whatever looks cool and interesting in the moment to whatever comes along next. While this may give the feeling of change, it rarely leads to real success. I had the same problem for 12 years, but I cured myself of this shiny-object syndrome, and today I’m going to teach you how you can too.

Life in the Fast Lane Still Means Commitment

As I said, I had the same problem for 12 years. Additionally, I think that half of the people reading this, if not more, have this same problem of trying to get into the fast lane but continually getting off track instead. What can they do about it?

Two words: Focus and commitment.

My Own Story of Life in the Fast Lane

I spent 12 years doing whatever I could possibly do to be successful, trying to stay in the fast lane and failing. I had 14 different jobs and 12 different businesses in 12 years. Do you think that’s focused? No. Consequently, what was my result? Broke. It was a vicious cycle where I would make a little and then be broke. Make a lot. Broke.

I got so damn sick of being broke and jumping from one opportunity to the next. Then, I realized that it was the jumping around that was killing me. I wasn’t ever following through 100%, because the next thing was coming into view. Every time, I thought that the next thing was going to be faster, smarter, better. When this new thing was presented to me, I thought, Why should I stick with this thing that’s really hard?

It was habitual. Why did I choose the thing that was really hard? The thing is, it wasn’t hard when I chose it. It was beautiful, but then I made it hard. The shiny object is shiny until you get there. Then it becomes dull and ugly.

There is No Perfect Shiny Object or Fast Vehicle

What I learned is a huge lesson. It’s not the outside circumstances or vehicle that’s going to make or break you. I spent 12 years looking for the right vehicle and discovered there’s no right vehicle. Instead, there’s only the right you within the vehicle that you love.

When I was going through that continuous cycle of being broke, one of my close friends on the West Coast called me up and said, “You have to get into this business. I’m killing it. You’ve been looking for a business and this is the one to get into.”

I said, “Oh my god. Thanks for letting me know.” My dream was coming true. Someone I knew was doing well, making $20,000 to $30,000 a week. I thought I would soon be doing the same.

Instead, six months later, I was broke again, and he was already a millionaire and doing even better. I said, “How on earth could you be doing so great, and I’m doing so bad?”

Finally, I had to look in the mirror and say, “Do you know what? It’s not the business. It’s me.”

Even though I felt like crying, that’s how I started putting two and two together and working on me. I said, “If I work on me and just do something I really enjoy, let me try that.” As you may know, I became a millionaire two and a half years after that, and I hope you relate to this yourself someday.

Focus and Commitment

I committed to staying focused on one thing until I got rich. You don’t have to do that, but I will say this: Commit to something for a minimum of three years. Why three years? That’s how long it takes to systemize something so it can work without you.

Don’t even think of leaving it. It’s like the Army. You’re in for three years, period. There’s no going away. You commit to it.

This may not seem like the fast lane, but it is. While three years may seem like a long period of time, I guarantee a focused three years is going to be more rewarding — and get you to your goals faster — than a sporadic one year.

I study Zen and Buddhism a lot, and they have a saying:

“Thinking about a better tomorrow is what prevents me from having a better today.”

Here’s the mantra applied to you:

“Thinking about having a better business is what prevents me from succeeding in this business.”

“Thinking about a better job is what prevents me from succeeding in this job.”

Why is that? It’s because you’re taking your mind off of the present moment. The only time you can be happy and successful is right now. You can’t be successful tomorrow, because it doesn’t exist. You can’t be successful in the past, because that’s gone. Your shiny object is blinding you and taking your mind off of what is necessary to get done today.

You gain focus by experimenting. You say, “I’m going to do an experiment on myself. I’m going to commit to something for three years, and I’m not quitting. Even if I go broke, I’m not quitting.”

I’ll tell you what. You won’t go broke. You’ll do well because you’ll focus on it. There won’t be any thought about trying to get into a faster lane because soon you’ll realize you are in the fast lane. The objects don’t get any shinier.

This was one of my biggest lessons. It changed my life. I hope the same happens for you.

Tell us what you think in the comments below. Give us your stories of lessons in focus and commitment, and how they helped you stay in the fast lane.

Comments

Keeping the momentum up is very hard. When you are exhausted, you just want to stop. I am currently working on what causes me to give up so easily. Mostly it’s from expectations that seem impossible to reach, to lofty, unattainable, so why bother? My views and mindset are now changing! Thank you Harv and team!

Break your goals into smaller chunks. This will allow you to celebrate progress and build on your success. Establsh a disciplined habit like doing something toward your goal everyday for an hour. The self-discpline of not breaking that comitment will keep you going when motivation is not there.

Thanks to guide me.I’m also working last 14 years still harder life exusted.but I still struggling for good life which is pending .hope for good result try and try .let’s see what will come result this month my commitment is hard but I try hard to achieve my goal which will give me success.give me advice for further assistance.

Hi Harv,
I like your trainer course. I have been speaking at toastmasters about being in the present moment. I told you about a small ebook I wrote about an awful accident that plunged me into the present moment. I would like to do more public speaking about it. I feel I am guided do this. I wanted to know about getting more speaking opportunities. “The simplest way to success”. Simple methods to fill the room. This is what I am interested in. I have a short 11 min speech I could email you. This also fulfills the same mission you have. I choose to create a vehicle. Namaste.
All my best
Jessica

For me I see that I have commitment issues. Yes I have been working on my business that still today is no business for 26 years. Lots of money, Lots of business name changes, lots of moving, Lots of changing and stopping to suit others because they tell me to put it to the side and get a real job. Than once i make money maybe look at it. I have just gone down hill, See myself as inconsistent. I even allowed a BNI Group to move my seat three times so they can let other people in. And none of these people joined and the group became very up clear what I do and didn’t want to referee me because i might change again. I shot myself in the foot. So now I need to stay focused on owning my well being retreat even if i go broke for three years and not move from the idea. No matter the best intentions or concerns i loose everything chasing this silly idea my family believe I should let go.

Commitment and staying focused go hand in hand. But when that’s all that you do breathe eat and process is the ‘now’ of your goal. It’s tough when your family and partner all have you on a timeline to succeed. How do I continue to hold on with this added outside but very realistic ( bill paying) kind of pressure to a career that’s flourishing but not making us enough?
That’s my question of the month.

I would say you look around at the stones not yet turned over, look at what you’ve been doing all along, either add to those activities or totally throw an action in there you have yet to do. For example, if you go to networking events only once a week, then rev it up big time, find a way to go to networking events five days a week, or at least do a one to one coffee meeting with a referral source (someone that has connections to a bigger audience of clients you want to pin point), or maybe it’s Marketing you’re skimping on, look around, sell what is not absolutely needed and invested it into more marketing our know works ( DO YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST). All I’m saying is you need to amp it up. Same old gets you the same old.

This is very interesting, because I have been focused somewhat on my solar energy business in Africa for 3yrs and 9months, yet no real breakthrough yet..Now I have 2 deals been presented to me that seem very simple to enable me to finance my business, so what do I do, let’s say for example one of the deals is someone wants a property to buy and I connect them to an agent and when he buys I get commission, so in a scenario like that, am I loosing focus on my business?

Dear Harv,
Thank you sincerely for your usual inspiring messages.
I have been wondering about what to do with so many things running through my mind. But with this insight I need not pursue everything at the same time to attain success. It is time for me to streamline my plans and goals with a mind set for not less than three years vigorous focus on a particular goal.
Thanks again.
Joseph

In the statement “Thinking about a better tomorrow is what prevents me from having a better today.”
I think the author is referring to “desire” (lack, the need of) The more you want, the more you take, the poorer you’ll feel, the poorer you’ll be. I am not saying that you should be living in scarcity and poverty. I’m talking about thankfulness, appreciation and giving from the heart.

Everything you’ve done in your life…Your pain and your suffering. The lost and separation of your loved ones, your struggles, health problems, and financial difficulties…It’s all just been a journey to this very moment. The perspective of our emotional suffering is the price we have to pay to earn awareness. (Hitler twisted this meaning of struggle in “Mein Kampf”) When we truly understand the meaning of our lessons we earn the necessary wisdom to create the results we are searching for; as a consequence, the truth we are looking for is finally revealed to us. You’re awesome Harv. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

I have also suffered with shiny object syndrome for many years now. I love to write and have created a website for which I blog and develop valuable content. I have decided to make Content Marketing my ONE THING that I will offer to businesses for the next 3 years without ever quiting.

I needed to hear this article! I’m currently working a 9-5 and being a real estate investor as my side hustle. I was gonna given up real estate together but it’s what I truly enjoy. I’ve committed for two years in the Real Estate game and I’m hanging in. I’m starting to get the the hang of it and I’m getting referrals.

Zen is a great school of life that has helped me a lot to stay focused and give meaning to my life. I resonate with what you say Harv. There are still moments where I get overcreative and want to do many things… But, now I see it and just reset myself on what I have choosen. Thanks for sharing :-))

Hi Harv and everybody! Well, in my case, I got commited to study medicine, and though I already have my license, I just don’t see me working on it for the rest of my days… I mean, I like my career, but it doesn’t really fill me at the end of the day, so I’m about to change it all and go for something I know I love beside all what everyone can say to me, ’cause it’s MY HAPPINESS, not theirs…
I get nothing by being on something I just don’t love at all…

Awesome piece Harv, I completely see myself in the shiny objects syndrome.
You piece was really insightful. I am a business owner who was out there chasing other things rather than staying committed to the business
I am definitely giving it the next 3 years!
Thank you

The fundamental lesson i have gotten is it’s not the business we are doing doesn’t work, it us not giving it our all that hampers it’s growth.
It’s imperative that we focus and zoom in to get a clearer vision of our business.
1+1 is 2. If you put into work 5 hours you’ll get results equal to 5 hours.

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